We're a month into the season, and the two most impressive performances from the state's two Pac-12 programs have been Oregon State's victories over Wisconsin and UCLA.

Both the Badgers and the Bruins were in the Top 25 when they were manhandled by OSU.

In both cases, the Beavers stuffed a running game keyed by a Heisman Trophy candidate at running back.

In a 27-20 victory yesterday over UCLA in the Rose Bowl, coach Mike Riley's team showed off a dangerous downfield passing attack with 6-foot-5 quarterback Sean Mannion going over the top to NFL caliber receivers Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks.

The OSU pass defense still has problems on the back end, and the the Beavers will need a better running game at some point. But that was an eye-opening performance on the road against a ranked team.

Meanwhile, in Autzen Stadium, the UO defense brilliantly stepped in to rescue a floundering offense. The Ducks kept giving away the ball deep in their own end. The defense throttled Arizona anyway in a 49-0 victory.

The UO defense might be good enough to ride to victory all season. But Oregon fans have to be a little concerned at this point about the mistake-prone offense.

Maybe the offensive inefficiency is due to the growing pains of a rookie quarterback and injuries on the offensive line.

Or, maybe opposing defenses are getting a better handle on Chip Kelly's scheme. It's too early to know for sure, although the UO performance didn't exactly do any favors for De'Anthony Thomas' Heisman hopes.

There are some positive signs. I like the addition of tight end/sledge hammer Colt Lyerla to the backfield as a running back.

And this thing still could come together before the really difficult games later this season against Arizona State, USC, Stanford and, it has to be said, Oregon State.